Coumadin therapy & herbal therapy

  Sirs,  I am currently on coumadin therapy.  I take 7 1/2 mg daily.  Are there any contradictions to taking herbs eg. Echinacea & Golden Seal root, as long as I am on the Coumadin?  Thanks, Judy G.

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

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Dear Judy, thank you for your question.  I'm not aware of the ingredients in the herbs that you mention.  However, if these herbs are rich in vitamin K, they may reduce the anticoagulant effect of coumadin.  Also, there's  a chance that the herbs may increase the anticoagulant effect of coumadin as many medications do.  Thus, I think you should speak with your physician about this topic and perhaps find out about the ingredients in these herbal preparations.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.  Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.